We in the United States are accustomed to think of democracy as the only system of government that has any merit, but the country's founders were concerned about the instability and corruption that had accompanied previous attempts to establish democracies. Popular governments never lasted long, and tended to have violent endings. They were also worried about their own abilities to hold on to their property if and when the non-propertied majority was allowed to participate politically. Remember that the U.S. is based on the idea that people have unalienable rights that, by definition, cannot be taken away. Obviously this conflicts the idea that policy has to reflect the preferences of the majority, especially a majority that wishes to limit the rights and liberties of the minority.
In this section I want you to get comfortable with the pros and cons of democracy, at least as seen by the country's founders, and how the current political landscape is a consequence of the system they established that would both rest political power on the people but restrict power so that it woudl interfere with minority rights.
1. Provide a full and well thought out definition of democracy.
2. How is a democracy different from a republic? What are the pros and cons of each?
3. Outline the argument in Federalist #10. What is the problem with majority factions? What is Madison's solution to the problem?
4. How do interest groups and lobbying impact American democracy? Is the influence good or bad?
Week Seven
Democracy and the Problem of Groups
We in the United States are accustomed to think of democracy as the only system of government that has any merit, but the country's founders were concerned about the instability and corruption that had accompanied previous attempts to establish democracies. Popular governments never lasted long, and tended to have violent endings. They were also worried about their own abilities to hold on to their property if and when the non-propertied majority was allowed to participate politically. Remember that the U.S. is based on the idea that people have unalienable rights that, by definition, cannot be taken away. Obviously this conflicts the idea that policy has to reflect the preferences of the majority, especially a majority that wishes to limit the rights and liberties of the minority.
In this section I want you to get comfortable with the pros and cons of democracy, at least as seen by the country's founders, and how the current political landscape is a consequence of the system they established that would both rest political power on the people but restrict power so that it woudl interfere with minority rights.
Sources:
Assignments:
At least 150 words on each of the following:
1. Provide a full and well thought out definition of democracy.
2. How is a democracy different from a republic? What are the pros and cons of each?
3. Outline the argument in Federalist #10. What is the problem with majority factions? What is Madison's solution to the problem?
4. How do interest groups and lobbying impact American democracy? Is the influence good or bad?
Due: May 3
email your answers to me.